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<h2 data-section-id="pdko8n" data-start="0" data-end="50">What are recombinant proteins for cell culture?</h2>
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Recombinant proteins for cell culture are biologically active growth factors, cytokines, and signaling molecules produced using recombinant DNA technology to control specific cellular functions in vitro. Growth factors such as FGF (fibroblast growth factor), EGF (epidermal growth factor), and TGF-&beta; (transforming growth factor beta) regulate cell growth, proliferation, survival, and differentiation. Cytokines including IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, and IL-21 influence immune cell activation, expansion, and function. These proteins are widely used in serum-free and chemically defined media, stem cell and iPSC culture, immune cell expansion, organoid development, hybridoma production, and cell and gene therapy workflows where precise control over cellular signaling is required.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
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<ul>
<li>Includes cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and signaling proteins to support proliferation, differentiation, and maintenance of&nbsp;mammalian cells</li>
<li>Rat, human, and mouse recombinant proteins compatible with translational research models and diverse mammalian cell culture&nbsp;</li>
<li>Optimizing cell metabolic activity, signalling pathways, and experimental reproducibility in vitro using recombinant proteins&nbsp;</li>
<li>Suitable for organoid development, expansion of cells, activation of immune cells, neuronal studies, and protein expression workflow optimization.</li>
</ul>
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<h2 data-section-id="4x59d8" data-start="1050" data-end="1118">How to choose recombinant proteins, cytokines, and growth factors</h2>
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Quality grade: RUO vs. preclinical vs. GMP
Research-use-only (RUO) proteins are suitable for most academic and industrial research applications. Preclinical-grade proteins provide enhanced documentation and quality control for studies supporting clinical development. GMP-grade proteins are manufactured under controlled quality systems with complete traceability and lot-to-lot bioactivity verification, making them appropriate for cell therapy, gene therapy, and other regulated applications.
Expression system and post-translational modifications
The production system can significantly affect protein activity. HEK293 and other mammalian expression systems preserve native human post-translational modifications such as glycosylation and phosphorylation, which are often necessary for full biological function. Bacterial expression systems such as E. coli may offer lower cost and higher yields but cannot reproduce many of these modifications.
Carrier-free formulation
Carrier-free recombinant proteins are formulated without stabilizing proteins such as bovine serum albumin (BSA). This eliminates potential experimental interference from carrier proteins and supports serum-free, animal-component-free, and GMP-compatible workflows. Carrier-free formulations are especially important when studying sensitive signaling pathways or developing clinical manufacturing processes.
Endotoxin level and purity
Endotoxins can stimulate inflammatory responses and alter cell behavior, particularly in immune cell cultures. For T-cell expansion, stem cell culture, and other sensitive applications, low-endotoxin or endotoxin-free proteins with documented purity above 95% are preferred to ensure reproducible results.
Stability format: standard vs. thermostable
Standard recombinant proteins gradually lose activity during prolonged incubation at 37&deg;C. Thermostable variants, such as engineered FGF2 formulations, maintain biological activity for longer periods and reduce the need for frequent media supplementation. These products can improve workflow efficiency in stem cell maintenance and differentiation protocols.
Storage and reconstitution
Lyophilized recombinant proteins offer extended shelf life and are typically stored frozen until use. After reconstitution, proteins should be aliquoted into single-use portions whenever possible to minimize repeated freeze-thaw cycles that can reduce activity. Proper storage conditions vary by product and should follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
<h2 data-section-id="rxnuuy" data-start="3659" data-end="3704">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-section-id="1fljvas" data-start="4451" data-end="4476">Specifications context</h2>
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Modern recombinant cytokines and growth factors are available in a wide range of formats including carrier-free, low-endotoxin, animal-component-free, and GMP-grade formulations. Many GMP-grade cytokines such as IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, and IL-21 undergo lot-specific bioactivity testing using validated reference standards to ensure consistent biological performance. Mammalian-cell-expressed proteins are increasingly preferred for applications requiring native structure and maximum biological activity.
As of 2026, carrier-free, low-endotoxin recombinant proteins produced in mammalian expression systems have become the preferred choice for stem cell culture, immune cell expansion, organoid development, and advanced biomanufacturing workflows.
For basal media used alongside recombinant proteins, see Classic Media. For additional supplementation reagents, see Cell Culture Supplements &amp; Additives. Browse Mammalian Cell Culture for the broader category.
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the expert team</a> at MBP today and get optimized recombinant proteins for your lab.

Recombinant Proteins

Growth Factors, Cytokines & Kinases-MSDS

Growth Factor-eFlyer

Growth Factors and Cytokines-Brochure

Growth Factors and Cytokines-FAQ

Role of Growth Factors in Cell Differentiation-Poster

Recombinant Human IL1B

Z100395 by Applied Biological Materials (ABM) is recombinant human IL-1β expressed in E. coli. Molecular weight 17.5 kDa; purity >95% by SDS-PAGE; ED50 <1 ng/mL; endotoxin <1.0 EU/µg. Lyophilized. Available in 10 µg, 50 µg, and 1.0 mg sizes.

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Recombinant Human IL1B, 10 µg

Recombinant Human IL1B, 100 µg

Recombinant Human IL1B, 1.0 mg

MSDS

Z100415-Growth Factor eFlyer

Z100415-Growth Factors and Cytokines Brochure

Z100415-Growth Factors and Cytokines FAQ

Z100415-Role of Growth Factors in Cell Differentiation (Poster)

Recombinant Human IL1RN

Z100415 by ABM — Recombinant Human IL1RN (IL-1Ra), 17 kDa, tag-free, expressed in E. coli. Purity &gt;95% by SDS-PAGE, endotoxin &lt;1.0 EU/µg, ED50 20–60 ng/mL (IL-1α inhibition assay). Available in 100 µg, 250 µg, and 1.0 mg.

Recombinant Human IL1RN, 100 µg

Recombinant Human IL1RN, 250 µg

Recombinant Human IL1RN, 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human IL2

Z100485 by Applied Biological Materials is E. coli-expressed recombinant human Interleukin-2 (IL-2 / IL2 / TCGF), a non-glycosylated 15 kDa immunoregulatory cytokine with one intrachain disulfide bond. Purity &gt;95% by SDS-PAGE; endotoxin &lt;1.0 EU/µg by LAL. ED50 &lt;0.5 ng/mL in human T cell proliferation (calibrated at 0.8×10⁴ IU/µg vs. International Standard). Available in 50 µg and 100 µg; contact MBP for pricing.

Recombinant Human IL2, 50 µg

Recombinant Human IL2, 100 µg

Z101235 by Applied Biological Materials is recombinant human IL-2 (Interleukin-2, TCGF), a 15 kDa T cell growth factor expressed in CHO cells with >95% purity. IL-2 drives T cell and NK cell expansion via IL-2R (CD25/CD122/CD132); ED50 &lt;0.1 ng/mL with specific activity &gt;2.0 × 10⁷ units/mg in CTLL-2 proliferation. Lyophilized from PBS pH 7.2; reconstitute in distilled water. Available from MBP for immunotherapy, T cell culture, and IL-2 receptor research.

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Recombinant Human IL20

Z101075 by ABM — Recombinant Human IL-20, 16 kDa, tag-free, expressed in E. coli. Purity &gt;95% by SDS-PAGE, endotoxin &lt;1.0 EU/µg, ED50 &lt;0.6 ng/mL (BaF3 proliferation). Available in 10 µg and 1.0 mg.

Recombinant Human IL20, 10 µg

Recombinant Human IL20, 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human IL21

Z100495 by Applied Biological Materials is E. coli-expressed recombinant human Interleukin-21 (IL-21 / Za11), a 15 kDa type-1 cytokine supplied as lyophilized powder. Purity &gt;95% by SDS-PAGE; endotoxin &lt;1.0 EU/µg by LAL. Bioactivity confirmed by HuT-78 cell proliferation with ED50 &lt;0.05 ng/mL. Available in 10 µg, 100 µg, and 1.0 mg; contact MBP for pricing.

Recombinant Human IL21, 10 µg

Recombinant Human IL21, 100 µg

Recombinant Human IL21, 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human IL22

Z100945 by ABM — Recombinant Human IL-22, 17 kDa, tag-free, expressed in E. coli. Purity &gt;95% by SDS-PAGE, endotoxin &lt;1.0 EU/µg, bioactivity confirmed (A549 inhibition assay). Available in 10 µg, 100 µg, and 1.0 mg.

Recombinant Human IL22, 10 µg

Recombinant Human IL22, 100 µg

Recombinant Human IL22, 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human IL24

Z101265 by Applied Biological Materials is recombinant human IL24 (MDA7/ST16), a tag-free tumor suppressor cytokine expressed in CHO cells. At 18.5 kDa with &gt;95% purity, endotoxin &lt;1.0 EU/µg, and confirmed inhibition of A549 cancer cells at 50–100 ng/mL, it supports STAT3 signaling and cancer apoptosis research. Lyophilized from PBS pH 7.4 with 5% trehalose.

Recombinant Human IL28A

Recombinant Human IL28A (IFN-λ2) Z102455 by ABM — E. coli-expressed, 19.5 kDa, ED50 10–50 ng/mL (HCC antiviral). Type III interferon for JAK/STAT, antiviral defense, and mucosal immunity research. 20 µg.

Recombinant Human IL28A, 20 µg

Recombinant Human IL28A, 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human IL28B (IFNL3)

Recombinant Human IL-28B (IFNL3 / IFN-λ3), catalog Z101285 by ABM. CHO-expressed, 23 kDa, >95% purity, lyophilized. Bioactive type III interferon. Endotoxin &lt;1.0 EU/µg.

Recombinant Human IL29 (IFNL1)

Z100505 by ABM — Recombinant Human IL-29 (IFNL1 / IFN-λ1), 20 kDa, tag-free, expressed in E. coli. Purity &gt;95% by SDS-PAGE, endotoxin &lt;1.0 EU/µg, ED50 1–5 ng/mL (HepG2/EMCV antiviral assay). Available in 20 µg and 1.0 mg.

Recombinant Human IL29 (IFNL1), 20 µg

Recombinant Human IL29 (IFNL1), 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human IL3

Z100515 by ABM — Recombinant Human IL-3, 15 kDa, tag-free, expressed in E. coli. Purity &gt;95% by SDS-PAGE, endotoxin &lt;1.0 EU/µg, ED50 &lt;0.5 ng/mL (TF-1 proliferation). Available in 10 µg, 50 µg, and 1.0 mg formats.